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National Disaster Response Force ready for Krishna Pushkarams

VIJAYAWADA: With the Krishna Pushkarams just around the corner, the
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) 10th battalion in Mangalagiri is
gearing up to extend any needed medical care for pilgrims near the
bathing ghats in Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool districts during the
festival.
The service of NDRF forces was specially requisitioned
by the State government in the wake of the stampede that killed 29
people on the first day of the 12-day Godavari Pushkaralu at
Rajamahendravaram last year.
Five teams of the NDRF 10th battalion
will be deployed on special duty at four places along the Krishna river
where huge crowds are expected to visit. Three teams will be deployed
at Vijayawada, and one each at Guntur and Srisailam. Each team consists
of 45 personnel, including officers and medical staff which will be led
by deputy commandants and assistant commandants.
A 90-member team
of the NDRF’s 10th battalion have been stationed near the major bathing
ghats in Krishna-Guntur districts on Tuesday. The NDRF troops, along
with Special Protection Force (SPF) performed trials near Durga Ghat and
upstream of Prakasam Barrage how to rescue people from the waters
during the different situations. They also created awareness on the
safety measures to be followed during emergency, including untoward
incidents during the river fete.
Speaking to Express on Tuesday,
NDRF 10th battalion Commandant, Prashant Dhar said more personnel will
be on standby and ready to move to Sangamam, Muktyala and Vedadri ghats
which have been identified as the important ones if needed. “We are
expecting huge turnout of pilgrims near the Durga Ghat on the first day
of pushkarams. Our men will keep a close watch on the ghat,” he said.
The
NDRF troops also established ten medical posts in the Krishna river
near Sitanagaram to provide medical assistance for the pilgrims near the
bathing ghats. As many as 40 staff will be deployed for the purpose.
Five medical staff including deep divers will be deployed near each
medical post during the 12-day river festival. “But given the possible
needs, the medical first responders would be mainly required in case of
emergencies,” Dhar said.